Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The apostles woke Jesus because they were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee (also known as the Sea of Tiberias, or the Lake of Gennesaret), and a storm had arisen that was so violent that the apostles feared that the boat would sink, and they would be drowned. They viewed themselves as powerless to deal with the situation, and interpreted the fact that Jesus was asleep as evidence that He did not care about the situation or their welfare.

When Jesus awoke, He told the wind and waves to be still, whereupon the storm ceased. He then rebuked the apostles for their lack of faith -- both from the standpoint of not believing in God's protection of them against disaster (especially with Jesus in the boat with them), and of not exercising the same power to still the storm (as Jesus had done) that true faith would have given them.

May 19 2022 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Benita, you have asked a thought-provoking question!

I love water and being out on the water whether it is in Wisconsin or Arizona, have taken swimming classes, grown up in Arizona where all we had to do all summer long was swim, have taken a Water Safety Class, taught swimmng, rescued kids and one adult from drowning, and have been a life-guard.

The disciples woke Jesus because they had seen Him work other miracles. He was their only hope here. His other miracles demonstrated His love for people. Would He not help even His closest companions? The disciples most probably felt that they had committed their lives already to the cause of following Christ. Would it all end so soon? This way? 

No way!

May 19 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim McDaniel Supporter

If the disciples actually expected Jesus to do something like what he did in speaking to the storm so that it calmed, they would not have been terrified as Mark tells us they were.

I think they were reacting much as we react, unfortunately, without any actual faith that our situation will change, and only hoping that somehow we will be saved from an impossible situation.

So we call out, "Oh, God! Make it stop! I can't take it!" We are not at all surprised when it doesn't. We are frustrated and not at all afraid to take it out on a God who seems to be sleeping.

But it is terrifying when His voice stops the winds and waves and we realize exactly who we're dealing with.

March 08 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report